Preparing for 2011

It is so amazing how fast time goes.  I can not believe that by this weekend we will already be in a new year.  My husband says that once the kids started school, our years were numbered and now they fly right by.  I think he is right.   

This week I want to give you some things to think about to better your life in 2011.  These are things I will be doing right along side you.  Today we will talk about our walk with God.

Thinking back over 2010, how was your quiet time with God?  Did you spend time with Him each day?  What about the weekends or holidays, did you carve time out for God?  When I set out about a year and a half ago to spend time with God each day, it started out only the weekdays.  But I realized that God doesn't forget about me on the weekends and holidays, so I shouldn't forget about Him.  If we go to God with a request on Saturday, He doesn't ignore us until Monday.  For 2011, commit to spending time with God seven days a week for the entire year.  

Thinking back over 2010, how was your Bible reading?  I grew up in Missionettes and read through the entire Bible a couple of different times.  But I can honestly say that since leaving the Missionettes in 1994, I had not read through the Bible.  January 1, 2010 I started a 'read the Bible through a year' plan and I am so pleased that by Friday I will have finished.  That is not at all to glorify me, but to glorify God.  He helped me stick to that commitment.  He gave me the desire and ability.  You do not have to read through the entire Bible in only 365 days.  But you can commit to reading a chapter a day.  

Some suggestions for today:

1. Take at look at your daily activities and schedule a time for God every day.  Take it a step further and actually write it in on the calendar.  My time with God is from 6-7am every day.  I am already up and ready at this time, my husband is gone for work and the kids are still in bed, then on the weekends everyone is still asleep at this time.  The house is quiet and I have time to focus only on God.  Maybe for you it is easier to sit in the quiet car during lunch break, or lay the kids down for a nap then go into your bedroom, whatever time is best, just commit to it.  
2. Commit to reading your Bible each and every day.  Decide if you want to read through in a year or if you can only do a chapter a day.  To the left of this post there is a read through the Bible in a year plan.  If that works for you, check back each day for the chapters of the day.  Another great thing is Proverbs has thirty-one chapters.  Most months have thirty-one days.  Read a Proverb a day.  
3. Find an accountability partner.  Someone that you completely trust.  Ask this person to help you stick to your commitment.  I have a wonderful group of women and each morning we email each other with where in the Bible we read that day as well as something God spoke to us.  I also have a sweet sister/accountability partner with whom I can share my heart and struggles.  It is easier to stick to a commitment if you have someone to hold you accountable. 

Friends, our time with God is very important.  Make this a priority.  If you were already doing these things, make the choice to dig deeper and go farther.  You can try memorizing scripture, become the accountability partner to a new Christian, spend more time in worship.  Pray and ask God how you can go deeper in your relationship.

Sweet Blessings~